Abstract: Earmolds for holding communications devices within the ear in a secure and comfortable manner. The earmolds are designed to minimize protrusion into the ear canal, while providing security by extending the helix of the earmold to fit under the crux of the ear's helix. These earmolds are also designed to avoid a seal in the ear canal, thereby reducing discomfort, improving wearer's ability to localize sounds. These earmolds are designed to fit the majority of people with the minimum number of required sizes. With this design, communications devices can be worn within the ear in a comfortable, safe, secure manner.

Abstract: For retention and sound-damping sealing of members introducible into the auditory canal, such as hearing aid housings, otoplastics or ear adapters, an annularly fashioned seal and retainer element can be plugged onto the member and when the member is inserted into the auditory canal, the retainer element fits itself against the walls of the auditory canal and seals the annular gap between the outside contour of the member and the auditory canal in sound-damping fashion.

Abstract: A headset is provided for an audio and video system that is compatible with the strong magnetic fields generated by Magnetic Resonance Imaging equipment. In the system, the audio portion of the signal is passed through an amplifier and appropriate RF filters and chokes, and fed into a pneumatic transducer inside the magnet room. A headset having an inner set (portion) connects the output of the pneumatic transducer to the patient's ear, while an outer set covers the patient's ear to block out gradient knocking noises.

Abstract: This disclosure describes an interchangeable earpiece for stereo listening. The earpiece rests comfortably behind the ear. Regardless of the activity which the person undertakes, whether it is aerobic exercising, weight lifting, or any other sport, the earpiece remains securely in place. The earpiece supports a speaker, and the conductor to the speaker is set into a groove in the earpiece. This allows the earpiece to be removed from the speaker to change sizes, colors or to simply clean the earpiece. The earpiece with the groove can be simply made by a single molding, and no further work is required other than simply laying the conductor in the groove of the earpiece and attaching the speaker.

Abstract: An ear canal device holder for devices other than speaker/microphone amplification systems that am to be inserted into the canal of the human ear. The device holder is made of a flexible silicone material comprising a body and structural support element(s) such that the device is held within the body of the holder and the body and device are secured in the ear by the structural element(s). In addition the device holder minimizes the attenuation of sound waves that pass through the ear canal to the tempanic membrane, while maximizing comfort and secure fit.

Abstract: A hearing aid tubing connector for connecting sound conduction tubing from a hearing aid to an earmold and a method for making same wherein the sound conduction tubing extends completely through a bore in the earmold up to the interior opening of the bore near the eardrum. A connector circumferentially attached to the tubing and having a stepped portion engaging the wall of said bore connects in an acoustic seal the tubing to the exterior opening of the bore in the earmold. The tubing extending through the bore in the earmold has an interior diameter which increases between the exterior opening of the bore and the interior opening of the bore. This increase in the tubing may be continuous or stepped. The tubing may be made of PVC and the earmold may be made of silicone.

Abstract: The present invention consists of a device which removeably secures a standard set of earplugs to a pair of eyeglasses, preferably safety glasses, by double looping a standard cord with a pair of cord adjusters. A pair of double looped elastomeric temple securing means hold both a loop of the cord through one of each of their loops and an eyeglass temple piece through the other of their loops. The tips of the cord are provided with an annular binding surface which may be inserted into the end of a standard earplug cavity which is cylindrical in configuration and which secures the earplug to the cord tip by frictional engagement therewith.

Abstract: An implant produces an auditory response in the auditory nerve of a person's ear. The implant is a flexible, coiled strip of piezoelectric material dimensioned for insertion into the scala tympani of the ear in general alignment with the spiral path that the scala tympani follows. The length of the strip corresponds substantially to the full length of the scala tympani. The implant relies on the natural hearing mechanism of the ear. Sound vibration are transmitted along the normal pathways of the ear and are ultimately transmitted along the scala tympani. The vibrations induce a piezoelectric response in the material proximate to the basilar membrane, stimulating fibres of the auditory nerve along substantially the full spiral path of the cochlea. Perceived sound intensity can be adjusted with a hearing aid or other audio amplifier. Amplified sounds simply increase the intensity of the piezoelectric response of the implant and the intensity of the stimulus applied to auditory nerve fibres.

Abstract: A waterproof earmold-to-earphone adapter is provided for use in conjunction with an earmold. The earmold has a passageway extending transversely therethrough to allow sound to pass through the earmold, and the adapter has a hollow, elongated stem which slides into and frictionally engages the passageway in the earmold. The adapter has a resilient, cylindrical holder carried by the stem, the holder being adapted to receive a waterproof earphone whereby sound from the earphone passes through the hollow stem directly into the user's auditory canal. The passageway of the hollow stem is of small enough diameter and great enough length to prevent water passing through, but allows air and sound to pass through.

Abstract: An ear tip for use on stethoscopes, audio head sets and similar apparatus is shown having a relatively rigid inner body and an outer flexible soft body that can compress to accommodate outer ear canal configurations in comfort and efficient sealing contact without hinging or folding over so as to restrict sound transmission therethrough. A tubular guiding ferrule configuration insures proper alignment and maintenance of sound transmission efficiency with user comfort.

Abstract: Electromechanical transducer for implantable hearing aids. The transducer has a hermetically sealed and biocompatible housing, in which a wall is designed as a membrane that can oscillate, and which forms a heteromorphic connecting element together with a piezoelectric ceramic disk. Mechanical oscillations of the housing membrane are coupled to the middle ear or inner ear of the user by a mechanically rigid element attached in the central area of the membrane. This element is configured as a bow, so that in positioning the transducer housing from the direction of the mastoid adjoining the tympanic cavity, it acts as an artificial anvil to which coupling elements can be attached for mechanically transmitting oscillations of this artificial ossicle to the inner ear. Various coupling elements can be used, which correspond to the respective individual pathological situation.

Abstract: An earmold and a method of manufacturing an earmold for a hearing aid that conveys amplified sound from the hearing aid into the ear canal to a closed cavity adjacent the tympanic membrane. The earmold includes an acoustic conduction tube having an external diameter smaller than the ear canal and a flexible flanged tip that exerts negligible pressure on the wall of the canal. One end of the tube is held in place in the canal by the flanged tip. The opposite end of the tube may be positioned in the ear aperture by a fitting in the ear concha that may be integral with the tube. The hearing aid and the earmold leave the canal open preferably to a point past the canal isthmus.

Abstract: A hearing aid in which selected frequency components of sound being vented from the ear canal of the user of the hearing aid to eliminate the "occlusion effect" are conducted to an acoustically isolated cavity to eliminate, or greatly reduce, feedback in the hearing aid.

Abstract: An improved hearing aid that reduces occlusion caused by the accumulation of ear wax includes a hearing aid body, an amplifier disposed within the hearing aid body, and an ear canal body adapted for insertion in the auditory canal of a human ear. The ear canal body has a deep transverse groove about 1 mm to 5 mm in width to form a cavity that is accessible to clear ear wax buildup in the cavity. A first passageway from the amplifier to one side of the cavity provides a conduit for sound to travel from the amplifier to the cavity. An end portion of the ear canal body forms a plow to divert ear wax as it is inserted into the auditory canal. The plow portion is of a cross sectional area substantially equal to the auditory canal. The plow portion has a second passageway that joins the cavity and the end of the ear canal body closest the ear drum. The second passageway is larger in diameter than the first passageway and its central axis is offset from the central axis of the first passageway.

Abstract: A novel earplug comprising a stack of thin flexible plastic discs bonded together about a central hole and loose at the edges is formed with a central core or plug forming a nose or bumper and a handle tail. The configuration described permits easy insertion and removal from the ear and the multiple disc structure forms a barrier to the entry of acoustic noise into the ear canal.

Abstract: A positive ear mold is processed to the desired size, equipped with a core in the proximal region, dipped in wax and placed in a container in which casting material for a negative form is filled. After the ear mold has been taken out and the core has been removed, a flexible sliver is drawn into the negative form. The sliver is laid out along the inner wall of the negative form prior to casting, and subsequently, the material for the housing shell is filled into the negative form. After a brief polymerization time, the excess material is emptied out and after it has hardened, the housing shell is removed from the negative form. By pulling a sliver insert out of the channel molded in the housing shell, one obtains a housing shell having a vent molded therein.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of a flexible, heat resistant mold member. The mold member is useful in molding processes such as dip or slush molding. The mold member maintains its structural integrity and may therefore be used as an insert in the article being molded to provide flexible stability at specific locations within the article. The mold member is made of a material which is substantially non-reactive with the molded article. The molded article may be any article made from a plastisol such as a binaural for a stethoscope having single or double lumens.

Abstract: Hearing aids, particularly hearing aids of the type embodying an ear-fitted housing having an interior receiver at the receiver tube leading from the interior receiver to the exterior of the housing. Particularly, a wax guard in the form of a coil of wire which is interference-fitted within the receiver to provide a restrictive path for ear wax and, thus protect the receiver.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing distortion of an acoustical waveform by locating a plurality of microspheres to interact with interfering acoustical waveforms are described.

Abstract: Disposably attached to the ear piece of a hearing aid, which includes any sound transmission device, is a user-disposable sleeve comprising soft polymeric retarded recovery foam that can be compressed to be freely insertable into a person's ear and allowed to recover to become wedged in the canal. Preferably, the sleeve is disposably attached to the ear piece by mating of screw threads on the sleeve and the ear piece. The ear piece may be a separate component from the hearing aid. The component is made either of rigid or flexible plastic and has connecting portions of various lengths depending on the depth of insertion of the sleeve into the canal. The sleeve may be of various lengths depending on the depth of insertion into the ear canal desired. The sleeve/ear piece assembly may also have a layer of sound transmitting scrim over its central opening to minimize penetration of the connecting portion past the end of the sleeve.

Abstract: A stethoscope including a stethoscope head, a pair of ear tips, and binaural tube means providing two individually separate air passages including a longer passage and a shorter passage extending between the stethoscope head and each ear tip. A substantially U-shaped binaural yoke includes channel members for receipt of the binaural tube members whereby the longer tube can be retained within the yoke without producing any sharp bends which would cause a loss of sound transmission. the stethoscope is designed to be made entirely of plastic materials.

Abstract: An electro-acoustic transducer includes a housing enclosing an electro-acoustic transducer device and having an opening by which the diaphragm side of the transducer device is exposed to the outside, and a ring provided to the outer surface of the perimeter of the opening. The outer perimeter of the ring is adapted to be softer and more pliable than the housing.

Abstract: The present invention proves an elbow shaped connector for connecting flexible sound conduction tubing from a hearing aid to a conventional earmold. The sound bore of the connector has an increasing diameter to improve high frequency response. This increase in diameter may be gradual, over the length of the connector, or it may occur abruptly at some point within the connector.

Abstract: A hearing protector has a body made of a suitable material and matching the shape of the auricle or ear shell and/or the auditory canal of the user. The body is provided with a canal which, in the condition wherein the body is placed within an ear of the wearer, provides communication between the auditory canal and a free space of the body. The body includes a second canal which, like the first canal, extends between the auditory-canal end and the free-space end of the body. An adjustable damping member is provided in or on the first canal for damping sound to suit the wearer's comfort in conditions in which the device is used.

Abstract: An earphone for use with audio reproduction devices. The earphone includes a housing, shaped to be retained in the concha cavity of the human ear, having an elongated portion shaped to fit between the tragus and antitragus of the ear, an audio transducer contained within the housing, a device for providing an electric signal to the audio transducer and a hollow tubular guide member attached to the housing such that when the elongated portion of the housing is inserted between the tragus and the antitragus of a human ear, the hollow tubular guide member extends into the external auditory meatus of the ear.

Abstract: The casing of a hearing aid can be acoustically dampened and its receiver is less likely to amplify noise stemming from vibrations of the casing when the casing is lined with a viscoelastic material. The viscoelastic lining can be applied by laying a viscoelastic layer across the rim of the casing and drawing a vacuum at the sound-communicating orifice of the casing until the viscoelastic is drawn tightly against the interior of the casing. A preferred viscoelastic layer has at one surface a substance such as fibers or beads that will form temporary bridges to permit an air to be evacuated between the viscoelastic layer and a casing to which it is applied. When the deposited viscoelastic is tacky at room temperature, the components of the hearing aid can be positioned simply by pressing them into the viscoelastic material, thus making the assembly easier than prior methods of assembling tiny hearing aids.

Abstract: In an arrangement to prevent the intrusion of foreign matter into a transducer which extends with a projection provided with an opening into a sound channel of a hearing aid, a reduced need for space as well as simpler construction, compared with the state of the art, are achieved by means of the following characterizing features: A membrane made of pore-free material is provided, which has at least one bore for the passage of sound of from a few hundredths to a few tenths of a millimeter diameter, and in which the wall thickness of the membrane is small with respect to the diameter of the bore.

Abstract: An earwax-protective device having a yoke joined with an auditory passage portion of a hearing aid which makes it possible to easily remove accumulations of earwax without damaging sensitive electrical components in the hearing aid.

Abstract: A molded detectable earplug assembly includes a pair of earplugs into which a metal, magnetic or X-ray detectable insert is provided. Preferably the earplugs are in pairs connected by a cord. The metal, magnetic or X-ray detectable sphere is detectable by metal, magnetic or X-ray detecting equipment and will announce the presence of an earplug in a product which was processed in a food, beverage, tobacco, or pharmaceutical processing line.

Abstract: An in-the-ear hearing aid comprises a first unit (1), which unit comprises a microphone (3), an amplifier (4), controller (6) for adjusting a parameter of the hearing aid, and a battery compartment (5), and a second unit (2) comprising a receiver. The first unit (1) is accommodated in a first space situated at the end of comparatively large cross-section of an earmould (11). The second unit (2) is accommodated in a second space (9) situated at the end (13) of smaller cross-section. The earmold has a cap element (14) which allows for insertion of the second unit (2) into the second space (9) from the end (13) of smaller cross-section.

Abstract: An underwater eardrum protector for use in underwater diving by a person having a perforated eardrum includes an inflatable bladder insertable in an ear canal of the person; a tube for supplying a non-compressible fluid to the bladder so as to inflate the same; a housing fluidly connecting the bladder to the tube; and a pump which supplies the non-compressible fluid to the tube, the pump including a cylinder having an inner wall, a piston slidable in the cylinder so as to define a variable volume chamber with the inner wall of the cylinder, the chamber being in fluid communication with the tube, O-rings connected with the piston for providing a fluid seal between the piston and the inner wall of the cylinder so as to seal the variable volume chamber, and a piston rod for slidably moving the piston in the cylinder so as to reduce the volume of the chamber and force the non-compressible fluid in the chamber through the tube and into the bladder, the piston rod being connected with the piston in a freely rotatab

Abstract: Detachably secured to the ear piece of a hearing aid is a user-disposable sleeve comprising soft polymeric retarded recovery foam that can be compressed to be freely insertable into a person's ear canal and then allowed to recover to become wedged in the canal. The sleeve preferably includes a flexible, elongated plastic duct over which the foam fits, and the duct is formed with a screw thread of a rigid plastic which mates with a screw thread on the ear piece for easy attachment and removal. The external surface of the foam preferably is substantially cylindrical and can be formed with flutes to provide venting of the user's ear.

Abstract: An integrally formed earmold is provided which supports a headset or stethoscope, for example, without requiring either a headband or arms extending into the ear canal. The earmold is formed from a soft, flexible elastic plastic and has an inwardly extending conical portion adapted to fit into the concha and outer portion of the auditory canal, terminating in a rectangular knob with a small flange thereon, the knob sealing off the meatus of the external ear canal without substantially penetrating the external ear canal. A hollow cylinder extends laterally from the knob a sufficient distance to form a support for a headset or the like. The earmold is sufficiently flexible that standard sizes will fit the general population, without requiring molds formed for particular users.

Abstract: A generally tubular cylinder of resilient material such as a silicon rubber, for mounting over a hearing aid, or ear plug, so as to provide two gaskets which seal the hearing aid, or ear plug, against the skin of the ear canal and stabilize it against movement in the ear canal thereby suppressing acoustical feedback. The cylinder is further shaped to provide a tab which extends to the exterior of the ear canal so that it can be easily grasped by the user to remove the hearing aid.One of the ends (or gaskets) of the hearing aid harness may be lengthened to extend beyond and away from that end of the hearing aid which houses the speaker.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with a hearing aid including a microphone, an adjustable amplifier, and an acoustic transducer positioned within a first, large acoustic chamber defined by an in-the-ear housing. The acoustic transducer is in communication with a sound outlet passage which leads into the user's ear canal. The acoustic transducer includes a sound generating diaphragm driven by an acoustic driver. The diaphragm and driver are mounted in the acoustic transducer, with the diaphragm dividing the transducer into second and third acoustic chambers. A vent passage is provided between the first and third acoustic chambers. An acoustic resistance is mounted in the vent passage to modify the operating characteristics of the hearing aid.

Abstract: An earpiece for use with a post-auricle communication headset is disclosed. The headset includes a capsule to which a microphone boom and the earpiece are affixed. The earpiece is composed of a flexible sound tube terminating in a sound tip surrounded by a conically shaped ear cushion. The sound tube includes an acoustically sealed swivel joint functioning to facilitate the secure positioning of the ear cushion in the user's ear. The cushion is composed of a compressible foam material and is configured so that the sound tip is not in contact with the user's ear thereby reducing irritation and dissipating sound surges.

Abstract: The shell of a hearing aid has an open end with a mating surface. The mating surface mates with a non-planar faceplate. Advantageously, the faceplate is shaped as a part of a sphere. Further advantageously, the surface is shaped by grinding.

Abstract: The component parts of a hearing aid are releasably inserted into the inside of mounts to be secured in the interior of the hearing aid housing. The mounts are provided at their inside with an elastic material that is preferably fashioned as a plurality of nubs and that exerts an elastic spring power onto the inserted component parts. The mounts can hold component parts of different sizes and are also sound-absorbing.

Abstract: An earplug uses damping to render unimportant a Helmholtz resonance between the acoustic mass intrinsic to a sound channel thereof and the compliance of air in the earcanal unimportant, in combination with an external structure coupled to the sound channel to increase response characteristics at higher frequencies in a predictable and well controlled manner in order to provide a highly desireable uniform frequency response.

Abstract: A rotary shaft is provided with at least two pins at its one end, these two pins fitting into two holes of the cover. The other end of the rotary shaft carries a polygonal screw pin for screwing on the adaptor.

Abstract: An anchoring element for a device for use in the ear canal of a wearer includes a body defining a cavity for transmission of external sound through the ear canal to the wearer and having a first portion sized and constructed to fit easily within the ear canal, an inflatable bladder removably disposed about the body and adapted for inflation by air delivered into a chamber defined by the body, to cause the bladder to inflate to resiliently engage and conform to irregularities and changes of shape of the surrounding wall of the ear canal of the wearer, e.g., during chewing. The bladder inflates in a manner to seal uniformly with the ear canal wall about the device, to hold the device firmly and securely in position in the ear canal. Pressure relief means associated with the bladder provide for venting excess air of inflation from the chamber.

Abstract: Means for holding a hearing aid speaker in place in the inner portion of the outer ear of a hearing aid user comprises a sealant material conformable both to the inner portion of the outer ear and to the speaker. The holding means also includes a pad that carries the sealant material. The sealant material is flexible, of low grade, water soluble and non-toxic. Objectionable feed-back is eliminated.

Abstract: A stepped frequency microphone particularly adapted to a hearing aid application provides a stepped frequency response characteristic relative to frequency, and has a low-pass sonic attenuator for providing to the undriven side of the microphone diaphragm a sonic counterpressure which at low frequencies substantially cancels ambient sound pressure delivered to the drive side of the diaphragm, the attenuator reducing this counterpressure at elevated frequencies to provide accentuated high frequency response.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing distortion of an acoustical waveform by locating a plurality of microspheres to interact with interfering acoustical waveforms.

Abstract: A hearing aid including a microphone, an adjustable amplifier, and a transducer comprising an acoustic driver driving a diaphragm disposed within an acoustic chamber, all mounted in an in-the-ear housing having a sound outlet passage leading from the acoustic chamber into the user's ear canal, is provided with a cleaning passage that is accessible from the outside of the housing and that connects to the inner end of the sound outlet passage, through a portion of the acoustic chamber. Throughout internal cleaning is effected by pumping a solvent through the continuous conduit formed by the cleaning passage, the acoustic chamber, and the sound outlet passage, without disassembly of the hearing aid.

Abstract: Earphones especially adapted for use in audiometry have electroacoustical transducer elements located at a distance from the ear and incorporate coupling paths and chambers so arranged as to eliminate undesirable resonances and to obtain a smooth and accurate frequency response characteristic.

Abstract: A sound transducer, particularly an earphone, is buttoned into a sound opening of an in-the-ear hearing aid housing by means of an elastic hose part seated on a sound connector of the sound transducer. The elastic hose part is slightly pre-stressed in longitudinal direction and the sound transducer is provided with an elastic abutment that elastically compensates the prestress.

Abstract: A system for suspending a receiver in a hearing aid and acoustically linking the receiver with the region external to the hearing aid. A shaped mandrel is placed inside the shell of the hearing aid and a liquid material is poured into the shell. The liquid material polymerizes to form an elastomer that is around the mandrel and in contact with the shell. The mandrel is then removed from the shell, leaving a receiver cavity and sound channel. A receiver is inserted into the receiver cavity. The receiver cavity holds the receiver, and the sound channel grippingly engages an acoustic output port on the receiver. The sound channel extends between the receiver and shell, acoustically linking the receiver with the external region.

Abstract: An improved acoustic earpiece of the type used to transmit sound mechanically from a sound source to the ear drum of a listener is disclosed herein. The acoustic earpiece includes a tube and a resilient element surrounding one end thereof comprising an open cell resilient foam with a slow compression recovery rate and a fully compressed diameter of less than the diameter of the human ear canal.

Abstract: The housing of the hearing aid comprises a distal, bead-like head part having a planar face on which an arched face plate is seated and comprises a proximal, thinner tail part. The angle .alpha. between the normal of the planar face and the longitudinal axis of the tail part lies in the range of 135.degree. through 142.degree., preferably at 140.degree., in a first longitudinal plane through the housing and a corresponding angle .beta. in a second, perpendicular longitudinal plane through the housing lies in the range from 12.degree. through 17.degree., preferably at 14.degree..